RNLI lifeguards take to the sea for Super League Triathlon

Lifeguards News Release

Thursday 27 September 2018

This weekend sees crowds gathering in Jersey for the thrills of the island’s Super League Triathlon.

The event sees the best 50 triathletes in the world competing in St Helier Marina on Saturday, with local competitors taking part in the event around Elizabeth Castle on Sunday. The whole course is designed to be accessible and attractive to spectators and, with the stunning September weather set to continue through the weekend, the triathlon promises two great days for all attending.

The RNLI is proud to support the event by providing safety cover for the second year running. Twelve lifeguards in two teams will be standing by on jet-skis and rescue boards for all the swim races and, in the event of a larger incident, both St. Helier and St. Catherine’s RNLI lifeboats will be on hand. Jersey lifeguards are coming to the end of an extremely busy season on the island’s beaches and this event is a great finale to the season for them. They have spent this week training and exercising and are looking forward to the weekend.

Rob Stuteley, RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor for Jersey, said, “We are really proud to be supporting such a big event in the island’s sporting calendar. Water conditions are forecast to be good so we should see some impressive results from the athletes. Although summer is over, our lifeguards will continue on duty at Le Braye beach on weekends until 4 November – the end of half term week. The water’s still warm at around 17 degrees so if you’re going in, please remember to check the tide times, take a means of calling for help and always let someone know where you’re going and when you’re planning to return. And enjoy this fantastic weather while it lasts!”

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.